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Lesson 1 of 10
New
New
- Year 3
The human skeleton: support
I can explain how the skeleton supports the human body.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- All humans have a skeleton made up of many bones.
- The bones of the human skeleton are solid, strong and are various shapes.
- X-rays show us what our bones look like.
- The skeleton supports our body which would be ‘floppy’ without it.
Keywords
Skeleton - A skeleton is the set of bones inside an animal's body that supports its shape, helps it move, and protects important parts.
Bones - Bones are a hard structures that form part of a skeleton.
X-ray - An X-ray is used to create an image of our bones.
Support - An animal's body needs a skeleton which supports it to be able stay upright and keep its shape.
Common misconception
Children may think their bones are not connected to each other.
Show the children how bones are connected to form a skeleton that supports their body.
As the children are feeling their own bodies, encourage them to feel the joints in their bones and notice they are all connected. When they make Mr Floppy, discuss the properties of the materials they have chosen and if they are similar to bones.
Teacher tip
Equipment
See additional guidance
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
- Exploration of objects
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which one of these is not part of your body?
Which one of these is not part of your body?
head
leg
arm
foot
Q2.Match the body part with the correct sense.
Match the body part with the correct sense.
Q3.Can you match the animal to the correct group?
Can you match the animal to the correct group?
Q4.As you get older and grow from a baby to an adult, your body...
As you get older and grow from a baby to an adult, your body...
shrinks.
stays the same.
Q5.Which of these things do we need to do to stay healthy?
Which of these things do we need to do to stay healthy?
Watch television.
Q6.A human is a type of...
A human is a type of...
plant.
bird.
reptile.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is your skeleton made from?
What is your skeleton made from?
plastic
metal
rubber
Q2.Which of these is the name of a bone in your skeleton?
Which of these is the name of a bone in your skeleton?
face
hair
brain
Q3.Are all the bones in your skeleton the same shape?
Are all the bones in your skeleton the same shape?
Yes all my bones are long and hard to make my skeleton.
No they are all different shapes as they all do something different.
Q4.Why is your skeleton important?
Why is your skeleton important?
It keeps my body healthy.
It helps my body to sleep.
Q5.Match the statements to describe features of bones.
Match the statements to describe features of bones.
Q6.What type of image shows a doctor you have broken a bone?
What type of image shows a doctor you have broken a bone?
painting
drawing
photograph
